The England boss has received glowing reports from United about their signing from Crystal Palace. Now Hodgson will promote the striker – signed for a fee which could rise to £15m – from the Under-21s, who face Scotland’s youngsters at Bramall Lane the day before the senior international.

Zaha faces a thrilling three days from Sunday, when he is set to make his first competitive appearance for United in the Community Shield against Wigan, also at Wembley.

Up front, Hodgson has injury doubts over Zaha’s United team-mate Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe of Tottenham and Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge.

West Ham forward Andy Carroll is definitely out with a heel problem.

Hodgson has injury doubts over Zaha’s United team-mate Wayne Rooney

“Zaha faces a thrilling three days from Sunday”

Zaha made his senior debut for England when he came on in the 83rd minute of the 4-2 friendly defeat by Sweden in November, but then dropped back to the Under-21s.

The Young Lions endured a miserable time at the European Championship in Israel over the summer, losing all three group games.

England midfielder Frank Lampard, who was due to play some role in Chelsea’s friendly with Real Madrid in Miami during the early hours of today, is ­optimistic of being fit for the Scotland game.

Lampard, who has been struggling with a calf injury, would pick up his 98th cap on Wednesday as he bids to join the elite band of players who have a century of appearances for England.